Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have little to say on this but I support any measures taken to impede criminals, especially drug lords, who are dealing with massive sums of money. I support any means by which they can be apprehended, slowed down and got out of the scene, and I support taking their funds from them.

One of the biggest issues we all have to deal with today concerns drugs and the amounts of money involved. The slaughter we hear about in this city day after day is all drug-related. We, as elected representatives, must support any laws to stop that.

I have a small bit of a grudge about something I know is also affecting other Deputies and their families. The banks now consider Deputies and, indeed, councillors to be politically exposed and they ask them to sign documents in that regard. I resent being targeted in that fashion. I have the same couple of accounts for God knows how many years. Surely with all the modern equipment the bank now has, it would be able to notice any unusual transaction and notify the Garda, Criminal Assets Bureau or other relevant authority. It would be entitled to do so. That would be sufficient. It is unfair on all politicians that they are asked to sign a document that considers them to be politically exposed. I do not consider myself to be in this category because I make up my own mind.

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